Senior / Principal Hydrologist in Exeter

About the Environment Resilience Renewables Group: At Haskoning, our Environment Resilience Renewables Group has been providing environmental solutions for our clients for over 30 years in the UK. We combine market-leading technical excellence across a wide range of environmental disciplines with a clear understanding of clients’ ambitions, needs and pressures.

Our water environment team is currently working on a variety of high-profile infrastructure projects, including a new water recycling facility and transfer pipeline for Southern Water, a new reservoir at Havant Thicket for Portsmouth Water, and multiple onshore transmission cables for offshore wind farms across the UK. Our team is also leading the development of strategies to unlock development in river catchments affected by nutrient and water neutrality restrictions, identifying nature-based solutions for flooding, water and nutrient management, numerous fish passage projects and the delivery of river restoration, floodplain habitat enhancement and flood risk management projects.

We specialise in delivering high quality services relating to flood risk, geomorphology and catchment management, river and freshwater habitat restoration, hydrology, hydrogeology, surface and groundwater quality across a range of developments, from National Significant Infrastructure Projects through to smaller planning applications. We have successfully supported our clients in delivering sustainable projects in sectors including water, renewables, energy, industry, ports, residential development, charities and the public sector.

Due to continued growth in a variety of markets, we are looking to grow our thriving water environment team.

The Role: We require a Senior / Principal Hydrologist to join our flood risk and hydraulic modelling team, in the delivery of hydrological analysis to primarily support hydraulic modelling projects, for varying clients such as the Environment Agency, IDBs, LLFAs, Rivers Trusts, infrastructure and renewable energy companies.

As a key member of our flood risk and hydraulic modelling team you will have the opportunity to work on a range of projects including both urban and rural flood risk, nature-based solutions, natural flood management and hydromorphology. You will ideally have skills in hydrological modelling, data analysis, data interpretation and presentation of hydrological results.

You will share our passion for Enhancing Society Together by collaborating with our clients to achieve their outcomes whilst also maximising the opportunities for sustainable solutions.

PLEASE NOTE: The role is unlikely to comprise a full-time role in the delivery of hydrological analysis. Therefore, it may suit either a part time candidate or someone with the wider skillset able to support the team in the delivery of flood risk and/or hydraulic modelling projects.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Hydrology Expertise: Demonstrate significant technical experience in some or all of the following areas:
• Proven track record in delivering suitable approaches to hydrological analysis and confident in defending these approaches with clients, regulators and key stakeholders;
• Comprehensive experience in the delivery of flood frequency analysis including, but not limited to, the use of Flood Estimation Handbook methodologies including the Statistical Method, Rainfall-runoff methods, use of hydrological modelling packages including ReFH2 and WINFAP and other hydrological methods, such as Lowland / Pumped Catchments, which are applicable to flood modelling projects;
• Experience in the production and delivery of hydrological analysis related to the derivation of low flows hydrology, applicable to weir removal schemes, fish passage solutions and river restoration schemes including channel design and wetland features;
• Linked to the above, experienced in the application of LowFlows2 modelling software;
• Sound knowledge and experience of hydrometry and fluvial hydraulics and how they inform hydrology (e.g. measurement of flows and levels, flow structures). Ability to analyse, interpret and report on hydrometric data including flow gauge rating curve development and hydraulic performance of weir and channels;
• Competent in the hydrological and hydraulic analysis associated with natural flood management (NFM) and nature-based solutions (NBS) options;
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the influence that different approaches to hydrological analysis have in the context of hydraulic modelling projects.
• GIS Proficiency: Skilled in GIS applications, including QGIS, ArcGIS and other open-source datasets/tools.
• Flood Risk Assessment: Capable of developing and providing specialist hydrological input to support Flood Risk Assessments with a strong understanding of UK flood risk policies (across England, Wales and Scotland).
• Technical Reporting Skills: You should have the ability to write clearly and concisely, summarising detailed technical concepts for a wide range of audiences such as the Environment Agency, Lead Local Flood Authorities, IDBs, Private Developers and the Public.
• Project Management: Involved in preparing project proposals, managing resources, subcontractors, contracts and invoicing. Act as a project lead for smaller and less complex projects (including understanding contract and cost implications to successfully deliver the project).
• Quality Assurance: Knowledge and experience in contributing to and maintaining best practice within the team as well as identifying innovative approaches.
• Collaboration: We require a strong team player who values independent thinking, capable of communicating effectively with other consultants and business disciplines to deliver comprehensive and sustainable design solutions.
• Client Relations: Build and maintain relationships with clients, ensuring effective communication and liaison with Project Manager, Project Director and the Hydraulic Modeller(s).
• Mentoring: Provide support and mentoring to junior staff leading by example to ensure quality and innovation in approach.
• Flexibility: Perform additional duties as required by management.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Essential:
• Bachelor's degree in an appropriate analytical subject (Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Earth Sciences, Physical Geography)
• Minimum of 10 years relevant experience in the development of and delivery of hydrological studies and catchment analysis
• A thorough understanding of wider catchment hydrology and catchment processes
• Hydrological modelling to derive design event peak flows and flood hydrographs through the application of the Flood Estimation Handbook (FEH) methodologies including the Statistical Method, Rainfall Runoff methods (ReFH2), Flood Studies Report methods (FSR) and Lowland / Pumped Catchment method
• Low flow studies/drought assessments and the low flow or long-term flow regime methods, including the application of LowFlows2 modelling software
• Proven GIS experience in QGIS and ArcGIS
• Excellent communication and analytical skills
• Ability to write high quality concise technical reports
• Ability to manage commercial aspects of projects
• Carrying out technical reviews of hydrological analysis and calculations prepared by other members of the team
• Desirable:
• Master's degree in appropriate subject
• Chartered, or working towards, chartership with CIWEM, ICE or other similar relevant body/institution (or progressing structured training scheme in relevant discipline)
• Preferably have experience in 1D and 2D fluvial hydraulic modelling based on Flood Modeller, TUFLOW and ESTRY and/or surface water modelling
• Experience preparing Flood Risk Assessments
• Experience in water resource assessments and modelling
• Basic programming language and coding to support development of analytical tools would be advantageous (e.g. R, Python, Excel Script, VBA)
• Database management for hydrological data analysis
• Experience with the UK planning process and dealing with private and commercial developers

What we offer you: Ambitious. Exciting. Lively. Collaborative. Dynamic. That’s how our colleagues describe our company. Want to contribute to enhancing society with your expertise? Be part of an open network where you’re connected with the brightest and smartest people and technologies? Join us!

You can look forward to growing your career in a dynamic workplace with development opportunities and support on your career path. We have flexible working models to ensure a balance of family and working life, including part time options.

Location: Preference for Exeter, Brighton, London, Peterborough or Newcastle, although other Haskoning office locations would be considered for the right candidate.

At Haskoning, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. Our mission of 'Enhancing Society Together' drives us to create an environment that embraces everyone’s unique background, identity, and perspective. Regardless of your experience, background, age, gender, or other personal characteristics—you are welcome here. We believe that diversity makes us stronger and that an inclusive culture gives everyone the opportunity to grow and contribute.